From "The Book of Questions" by Gregory Stock, PH.D
Q #63
Assume there were a technological breakthrough that would allow people to travel as easily and cheaply between continents as between nearby cities. Unfortunately, there would also be 100,000 deaths a year from the device.
Would you try to prevent its use?
8 comments:
No I would not prevent its use but I would definitely let a WHOLE LOT of people test it before I used it. Cause eventually as with any new technology, the bugs will get worked out....
Hmmmmm ... How many people die in Car Accidents in a year? I wonder.
And if we had known that many people would die using cars, would we have tried to prevent their use?
Interesting perspective!
Dont wonder how many die in car accidents, you can look it up right here: http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf
I wouldn't but most of the world would so long as it wasn't their butt on the line. Welcome to India!
About 50,000 die in auto accidents just in the US each year, so 100,000 worldwide is not a stretch.
Whether I use it depends on how much control I have. In a car, I have a modicum of control; in an airliner I have none (spam in a can)
I think the dangers of it should clearly be posted and then a "Travel At Your Own Risk" sign posted. I'm envisioning something like a "Transport Pod" that many people "board" at the same time, not an individual car type machine that one person would drive. If the latter were the case, count me out of owning one and darn right I'd be lobbying against it if it were on the same "streets" as cars!One of those 100,000 deaths could be one of my kids, my hubby, family member, friends, or me! LOL
Sign me up... after a few years of improvements and letting the bugs fall out....
But on the flip side, watch all the companies who have pretty good vacation policies slice those days off in 1/2 or more!!!!
I'm with Pat!
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